[Looking at history and our area’s unique political and religious attitudes.]

There are no atheists in foxholes. This well-known aphorism came from a sergeant sharing a foxhole with US Army Lieutenant Colonel Warren J. Clear during World War II fighting in the Pacific. The statement appeared in an Associated Press story dated April 11, 1942, about the intense fighting and retreat of the troops from Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. Lt. Col. Clear recounted they both prayed audibly during a very heavy bombing.

The concise affirmation spread widely and was commonly known when we were young. I had a favorite uncle in the Army, who recounted the adage.

Backing up in history, to World War I, we find a similar statement. The Lord Bishop of London read a letter from a chaplain, which appeared in the “Ormskirk Advertiser” newspaper on April 22, 1914. “Do tell the Territorials and soldiers at home that they must know God before they come out, if they would adequately face what lies before them. They will need all the religion they have got, or can have …. There are no atheists at the front, and men are not ashamed to say that though they have not prayed before, they are praying now.”

Seven months later is another similar newspaper account in “The Western Times” on November 6, 1914. A letter from a chaplain was read at St. Matthias’ Church of Ilsham. “Tell the Territorials and soldiers at home that they must know God before they come to the front if they would face what lies before them. We have no atheists in the trenches. Men are not ashamed to say that, though they never prayed before, they pray now with all their hearts.”

Throughout history and philosophy, similar comments persist. The Greek philosopher Plato (~428 – ~348 BC) proclaimed there are few Men so obstinate in their Atheism, that a pressing Danger will not reduce to an acknowledgment of the Divine Power.

What does that have to do with recent events? On Saturday afternoon, July 13, 2024, we watched as President Trump was struck by an assassin’s .308 caliber bullet. We saw him go down. A massive amount of prayer by a sickened people went up on his behalf. When he was lifted-up by his security detail, you could see in his face and demeanor that he had an intense religious experience while on the deck.

The world saw a living martyr arise with a fist pump of confidence in the air, while blood streamed down his face as he shouted ‘Fight, fight, fight.’ His expression was not anger. It was not fear. It was resolve. One of the most iconic photos of history was snapped in that moment: a flag overhead, three protectors trying to shield him, blood down the face, and a fist in the air.

President Trump himself said ‘God alone’ saved him from assassination. He later commented that things happened while he was down. His attitude showed immediately in his posts ending with “Unity, Peace, Save America.” His demeanor was noticeably more restrained while in the next week, he led his party to the greatest display of unity that we have seen in our years of political activity.

Even his most adamant detractors had to concede the unity. Nevertheless, they refused to attribute his protection to God. What would you call it?

The Creator uses natural law to accomplish supernatural outcomes, whether the movement of the head or the change in the wind, it is still God protecting. As the President admits, “I was not supposed to be here.” God alone. The co-author reminds us often “what was meant for evil, God meant it for good.” This affirmation is from the first book of the Jewish Tanakh, so it is the very oldest of commonly available history in our language.

Consider the scenario. You are in a ‘safe’ neighborhood. You are bleeding from being struck by a bullet. More shots are fired at you while on the deck. What would any rational person do? In the above references, the chaplain and Lt. Col. Clear made it clear.

Think about it.